Thousands expected at 37th Guinea Jubilee

This weekend’s 37th annual Guinea Jubilee festival is expected to attract thousands of people to help honor the way of life in the Guinea Neck. The Jubilee will feature cultural activities, arts and crafts exhibits, a parade, all kinds of seafood, a fireworks show and much more. The festival, which will be held rain or shine, kicks off Friday at 3 p.m. and continues all day Saturday.

Tara Thomas, who co-chairs the Guinea Jubilee Committee with her husband Brook, said she is praying for good weather this year, as last year’s festival was dampened with rain showers both days. “We’ve been so fortunate that usually we can always get at least one good day weather-wise,” Thomas said. “However, last year was the exception.”

On the flip side, she said because last year’s weather was so bad, the committee has plenty of extra merchandise that will be available this year, with some at reduced prices.

Arts and crafts booths will be open Friday from 3-10 p.m. and entertainment Friday night will kick off with The Mullins Sisters at 7 o’clock. Thomas said this trio of three sisters from Gloucester specializes in country/Americana and approached the committee about being part of the Jubilee. “We’re so excited to have them,” she said.

Saturday’s events will begin bright and early with the crab walk/run and shad run at 7:30 a.m. at Buck’s Store. The Pedal the Loop bike ride will follow at 7:45. “It’s not too late to join us for these events,” Thomas said. Visit the festival’s website at www.guineajubilee.com to register.

Arts and crafts booths along with the children’s games will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the car show beginning at 10. “We’re packed again this year with vendors,” she said. And this year’s children’s games will be midway-style games, she added.

According to Thomas, the committee tries to select a wide variety of vendors so that no two are selling the exact same types of products.

The Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad’s Firemen’s Parade will begin at noon (lineup at 10 a.m.), from Union Baptist Church and continuing to the Abingdon Ruritan Club grounds.